Most Chicagoans would jump at the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, but not Zach Gilford. The Evanston native and former “Friday Night Lights” actor turned down the Cubs’ offer. Why?

“(The Cubs) asked me to last week,” Gilford said Thursday at West Town Bakery & Diner in Ukrainian Village. “I said no. My grandpa would have disowned me.”

The Cubs confirmed that the organization did, in fact, ask Gilford to throw out the first pitch before this Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates but were turned down. It should be noted that Gilford had no problem throwing out the first pitch before a Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium in 2007. And, not suprisingly, he threw out the first pitch before a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field in 2009.

Gilford is currently filming “The Mob Doctor” in Chicago. The show premieres Monday on Fox.

To read the complete interview with Gilford, including why he has yet to watch the final season of "Friday Night Lights," click here.